Sadhu sanga

[anadi]

Dear guruvani, Dandavat pranam,

You asked many questions...

how much sadhu sanga do we have to have?

do we need constant and continuous sadhu sanga?

The verse 22.83 from Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta Madhya lila says that from the beginning of the process of cleansing of the mirror of the mind /heart (ceto darpana marjanam) up to the full display of divine love one is dependent on sadhu-sanga.

kṛṣṇa-bhakti-janma-mūla haya 'sādhu-sańga'

kṛṣṇa-prema janme, teńho punah ̣mukhya ańga

"The root cause janma-mūla of divine devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa-bhakti is association with saintly realized devotees sādhu-sańga. The main principle mukhyaańga that awakens janme the divine love for Krishna kṛṣṇa-prema (is) again the same (association) teńho.

And than you asked

Or, can a moments association with a sadhu award all perfection.

Yes, the same Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta Madhya lila says in a previous verse of the same chapter 22.54

'sādhu-sańga', 'sādhu-sańga' — sarva-śāstre kaya

lava-mātra sādhu-sańge sarva-siddhi haya

The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by (even) a moment's association with a sadhu, one attains all perfections.

On the other side Sri Raghunatha Das Gosvami says that there is no greater loss, or suffering, than that of being bereft of the association of the real devotee of the Lord (sadhu), which is due to love.

 

Sadhu sanga is love, and when you lose love, you weep in separation of the loved ones.

 

You also said:

 

are only "gurus" sadhu sanga?

are only old indian swamis with beards sadhu sanga?

kRSNa bhakta saGga vinA zreyaH nAhi Ara (CC Mdhya 8.251)

"There is no other welfare than association with Krishna's devotees.

sure, sadhu sanga is important.

but, sadhu sanga comes in forms other than physical proximity to a sadhu.

After one really had sadhu saNga, he is weeping in separation of sadhu, and is hardly waiting to be again in that association. Real sadhu saNga is love.

The king and all the disciples also sat anxiously, waiting from Srinivasa to regain consicousness. In this way, the first three hours of the day passed. As time passed, Prabhu's disciples began to think that they had lost their master forever. Thinking that they would never again have the opportunity for such exalted association, they began to weep loudly. Thakurani then placed some cotton balls under the nose of Srinivasa to detect his breath. When they did not even slightly quiver, she pulled at her hair and fell to the ground in despair. In their grief, sometimes they wept and sometimes they fainted on the ground.

Suddenly Srimati Ji remembered something that gave her encouragement, immediately calming her down. Seeing Sri Isvari's change of mood, everyone inquired curiously as to what had calmed her mind. She gladly told them that a long time ago, Srinivasa Prabhu had told her about Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja, who was capable of understanding everything about Sri Acarya. She said that she was certain that Kaviraja would arrive there that day, as this had previously been foretold to her in a dream.

As she was speaking, Ramacandra Kaviraja suddenly arrived at the spot. He fell at the feet of Srinivasa, reciting prayers with folded hands.

Calling the name of Sri Radha and beseeching Her blessings, Ramacandra covered the body of Srinivasa with a cloth and slid under the cover along with Prabhu. By exercising the powers given to him by the grace of Srinivasa, Ramacandra also entered into a deep trance and in his siddha-deha (spiritual perfect body) he came to understand everything about Srinivasa's trance. Ramacandra then assured Thakurani that if after two hours Srinivasa did not regain consciousness, she should chant the holy name loudly into his ear.